?Chapter 460:


    Corrine noticed the light flush on Karina’s cheeks and frowned slightly.


    “You should stop drinking.”


    Karina dismissed the concern with a carefree wave.


    “I’m in a good mood tonight. Join me for a drink.” She raised her ss in invitation.


    However, Karina noticed that Corrine had no ss in hand.


    “Wait for me.” She was about to rise to fetch some wine for Corrine. Just then, a waiter in a crisp uniform approached her, bncing a tray with practiced precision.


    “Miss, would you like a ss of champagne?”


    Karina, suspecting nothing, set down her empty ss and reached for a fresh one. But before she could hand it to Corrine, the waiter smoothly extended a flute in her direction instead.


    Corrine’s gaze lingered on the offered ss, her fingers unmoving. Rather than epting it immediately, she studied the waiter with an unsettling intensity. Her sharp eyes cut through him like a scalpel, dissecting every minute detail.


    The waiter swallowed hard, a bead of sweat forming at his temple.


    “Is something wrong, miss?” His voice betrayed the nervousness he fought to suppress.


    Corrine let the silence stretch before finally reaching out. With an unreadable smile, she took the ss.


    “Thank you.”


    Across the room, Rita exhaled in relief. She had been watching Corrine like a hawk, her heart hammering in anticipation. But now, as Corrine epted the champagne, her lips curled into a slow, malicious smirk.


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    Finally.


    Now all Corrine needed to do was drink. Preferably, everyst drop.


    Rita’s fingers clenched against the fabric of her gown as she relived the humiliation of theirst encounter. Corrine had made a fool of her, outmaneuvered her at every turn. That night, Rita had sworn she would make her pay.


    Corrine might have Nate’s support now, basking in the limelight as if she were untouchable, but that wouldn’tst forever. The moment Nate abandoned her, she would have nothing.


    But watching her simply fall from grace was not enough. No, Rita wanted to see her utterly ruined—stripped of dignity, mocked by the entire elite circle of Lyhaton.


    Corrine swirled the champagne in her ss, watching the golden liquid catch the light. She made no move to drink.


    From across the room, she felt it—the weight of a hateful stare pressing into her back. Lifting her head, she let her gaze driftzily toward the source. Beyond the guests, tucked behind a towering nt, she found Rita.


    A slow, knowing smile curled at Corrine’s lips, a quiet, dangerous promise woven into its curve.


    Sensing Corrine’s gaze, Rita stiffened, her fingers twitching at her sides. For a split second, she shrank deeper into the shadows, as if caught red-handed.


    Corrine smirked. It seemed that if she didn’t drink the champagne, someone would grow increasingly anxious.


    Beside Corrine, Karina’s sharp instincts kicked in. She had been watching Corrine toy with the champagne for a while now, her movements deliberate, her expression unreadable. Something was off. Her eyes narrowed.


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